Friends, today we are celebrating the nineteenth Sunday in ordinary time year C. Our Mother Church reminds us of our heritage as the people of God. She also reminds us of our firm root in Christ. As God’s people, we worship an awesome and caring God. Therefore, we dare to look forward to a glorious future in our Father’s kingdom. The readings of this Sunday remind us that the things of this world do not last, but our relationship with God does. Jesus teaches that we must be watchful and faithful, using what we have to serve others. Abraham and the Israelites show us what it means to trust in God’s promises, even when the path is unclear. Lord, help me to trust in You and not in the things of this world. Teach me to let go of fear and be ready to serve with love. Make me a faithful servant, using my time and gifts wisely.
Friends, today’s first reading points out the nature of the covenant that establishes our citizenship as God’s people. This covenant is divine and firm. Therefore, the church admonishes us to be joyful and courageous because the foundation of our citizenship is solid. This covenant enables us to share in the blessings and heritage of God our father. The Scriptures tell us that the things we have in this world don’t last forever. Even if we gather wealth and power, it won’t bring lasting happiness. What really matters is the love we show to others. As followers of Jesus, our main goal should be to serve Him and help our neighbors. When we become too attached to material possessions and care too much about what others think of us, we lose sight of Christ’s presence in our lives. That’s why it’s important to be watchful and focus on prayer and acts of kindness. By aligning our hearts with God’s plan, we become wise servants who are ready to welcome the Lord when He comes to us.
Friends, the second reading presents Abraham to us as a model of faith. We became God’s adopted children through faith. Thus, we share the same heritage with Christ. Faith is like DNA that identifies people of the same ancestry. It is the proof of our heritage to the same Father. God revealed himself fully in Christ. The readings of today remind us about the faith and trust shown by God’s people in the past. They believed in God’s promises and were willing to give up their worldly security to stay faithful to Him. For example, Abraham, mentioned in the Second Reading, obeyed God even when he didn’t fully understand His plan. Their stories encourage us to trust in God’s guidance and let go of our own wants and attachments. Sometimes we become too attached to our things, wanting others to notice and like what we have. We may even put our possessions before our relationship with God and helping others. But we should remember that true wealth comes from the love we give, the kindness we show, and the impact we have on others’ lives. Let us reflect on this and consider where our priorities lie.
Friends, in the gospel, Jesus tells His followers not to worry or be afraid. He assures them that God the Father loves and takes care of them. He reminds them that their true treasure is in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus wants His followers to be ready, stay alert, and use their resources wisely to help others. He stresses the importance of being faithful and responsible servants, ready to explain how they have used what God has given them when He comes back. This message serves as a gentle reminder for us to think about what really matters in our lives and align our hearts with God’s plan. We should let go of things that don’t last and focus on building God’s kingdom by showing love, kindness, and service to others. When we do this, we will be ready to meet Jesus whenever He shows Himself to us, both in extraordinary moments and in our everyday encounters. The Lord be with you …may the Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I wish you a blessed Sunday and a fruitful new week ahead of you.
By: Fr. Ben Chola Mccj
